Keithley KPCI-PIO96 User Manual page 59

KPCI-PIO96 User's Manual Glossary B-3
Foreground task
An operation, such as a task that occurs in the single or synchronous mode, that cannot take place
while another program or routine is
running.
FIFO
First-in/first-out memory buffer. The first data into the buffer is the first data out of the buffer.
GPIB
Abbreviation for General Purpose Interface Bus. It is a standard for parallel interfaces.
IEEE-488
See GPIB.
Input/Output (I/O)
The process of transferring data to and from a computer-controlled system using its
communication channels, operator interface devices, data acquisition devices, or
control interfaces.
1
Input/output port
A channel through which data is transferred between an input or output device and the processor
ISA Bus
Industry Standard Architecture. The 16-bit wide bus architecture used in most MS-DOS and
Windows computers. Sometimes called the AT bus.
1
Map
Any representation of the structure of an object. For example, a memory map describes the layout
of objects in an area of memory, and a symbol map lists the association between symbol names
and memory addresses in a program.
OCX
Abbreviation for OLE Custom Control.
Pass-through operation
See target mode.
PCI
Abbreviation for Peripheral Component Interconnect. It is a standard for a local bus.
Port
See input/output port.
Port group
For digital I/O emulating the I/O of an 8255 programmable peripheral interface chip, a group of
three 8 bit ports, commonly labeled PA, PB and PC. Digital I/O that emulates multiple 8255 chips
is typically divided into multiple port groups.
Port I/O call
A software program statement that assigns bit values to an I/O port or retrieves bit values from
an I/O port. Examples include a C/C++ statement containing an inp or outp function or a Basic
statement containing a peek or poke function.
1
Register
A set of bits of high speed memory within a microprocessor or other electronic device, used to
hold data for a particular purpose.
Shielding
A metal enclosure for the circuit being measured or a metal sleeve surrounding wire conductors
(coax or triax cable) to lessen interference, interaction, or current leakage. The shield is
usually grounded.
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